Each and every year the Social Security Administration receives millions of claims for Social Security Disability benefits. Many people assume that these claims are all filed by disabled workers who can no longer maintain employment due to a long-term or permanent disability. The truth, however, is that many of these Social Security Disability claims are filed by parents of children who have been diagnosed with severe medical conditions. The conditions with which these children have been diagnosed can cause serious financial hardship for parents and families. Although Social Security Disability benefits can often help to ease the financial burden somewhat, it routinely takes months or even years for a disability application to be approved by the Social Security Administration.
When a Social Security Disability applicant files a disability claim, they soon discover that the disability application process is a complex and overwhelming one. For parents who file claims for children with disabilities, it is often impossible to wait months or years for disability approval due to the severe or even terminal nature of their child's condition. For these parents, the Social Security Administration's Compassionate Allowances program may be able to help.
In 2008, the Social Security Administration implemented the Compassionate Allowances program in order to address the fact that some applicants need immediate processing of their disability claims. There are 88 conditions that qualify an application for claim processing under the Compassionate Allowances guidelines, and Sandhoff Disease is one of these 88 conditions.
If your child has received a diagnosis of Sandhoff Disease, the following information will shed light on the disability application process and help you to understand how you can increase your chances of obtaining a quick approval of your child's benefits under the Compassionate Allowances guidelines.
Sandhoff Disease - Conditions and Symptoms
Sandhoff disease, also known as Jatzkewitz-Pilz Syndrome and Hexosaminidase A and B deficiency, is a rare inherited condition that destroys the neurons in the spinal cord and the brain. When an infant is born with the condition, symptoms normally begin to manifest between three and six months of age. At this time, development will slow and the muscles of the body begin to weaken. These babies will begin to lose their ability to turn over, sit, or crawl.
The symptoms of the condition are caused by a baby’s inability to create the beta-hexosaminidase A and B. This leads to a build-up of certain enzymes in the body, which result in highly toxic levels that damage the brain and spinal cord. The symptoms of Sandhoff Disease vary from patient to patient, but common symptoms associated with the condition include an exaggerated startle reflex, vision loss, impaired hearing, seizures, learning disabilities, and eventual paralysis. In some cases children may also suffer from enlarged organs, mental illness and bone abnormalities. Due to the severity of the symptoms associated with the condition, it is uncommon for infants who develop the disease to live beyond early childhood.
Filing for Social Security Disability with Sandhoff Disease
Receiving a diagnosis of Sandhoff Disease for your child can be an overwhelming and traumatic experience. You may be forced to leave work activity in order to provide your child with the level of care he or she needs. If this happens, it may soon become impossible to pay normal bills, let alone medical expenses for the child. Fortunately, Social Security Disability benefits can help.
When filling out your child's Social Security Disability claim, make sure you provide complete and thorough answers to the questions answered on the disability application. The more detailed you can provide with your answers, the more likely it is that your child's application will be approved without incident. Also be sure to provide a complete copy of your child's medical records with your Social Security Disability claim. Lab results, treatment histories, and written statements from treating physicians can all support your claim for Social Security Disability benefits.
Your Sandhoff Disease Social Security Disability Case
Although Sandhoff Disease is one of the 88 conditions that qualifies a Social Security Disability claim for processing under the Compassionate Allowances guidelines, it does not mean that your claim will be automatically approved. In some cases, Compassionate Allowances claims are actually denied by the Social Security Administration. It does not happen often, but it does happen.
When a Compassionate Allowances claim is denied by Social Security, it is usually due to an improperly completed disability application, a lack of sufficient medical evidence, or a lack of Compassionate Allowances understanding on the part of the adjudicator reviewing the file. To prevent these issues from occurring with your child's disability application, you may want to consider retaining the services of a qualified disability attorney or advocate.
When you work with an attorney or advocate in the preparation and submitting of your Social Security Disability claim, he or she will ensure that your claim is prepared and presented properly to the Social Security Administration. The professional you hire will also ensure that the adjudicator reviewing your file understands how it qualifies for processing under the SSA's Compassionate Allowances guidelines.
To learn more about the Social Security Compassionate Allowance listings, or to find out whether your child may qualify for Social Security Disability benefits due to a diagnosis of Sandhoff Disease, submit a free request for a Social Security Disability case evaluation today.
